Nitish Kumar Urges Officials to Expedite Revival of Bihar's Sugar Mills
In a significant move to boost Bihar's industrial and agricultural sectors, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Friday directed concerned officials to ensure the early restart of all closed sugar mills across the state. The directive came during a review meeting held at his residence, focusing on the implementation of the "Samriddh Udyog-Sashakt Bihar" initiative, which is part of the seven resolves under 'Saat Nishchay-3'.
Focus on Speedy Implementation and Farmer Benefits
During the meeting, Nitish Kumar emphasized the critical need for proper and swift execution of the scheme. He highlighted that the reopening of old closed sugar mills would provide substantial benefits to farmers and create numerous employment opportunities for the local population. "It is good that Sasamusa sugar mill is being started soon. The remaining closed sugar mills should also be started as soon as possible," the CM stated, underscoring his commitment to revitalizing the state's sugar industry.
Action Plan for New Mills and Development Goals
In addition to reviving existing mills, Nitish Kumar instructed officials to take proactive steps toward establishing new sugar mills. He urged them to work in a phased manner with a detailed action plan, aiming to position Bihar among the top five developed states in the country. This strategic approach is expected to enhance industrial growth and economic stability in the region.
Officials Provide Updates on Scheme Progress
The meeting saw presentations from key officials, including Industries Secretary Kundan Kumar, who discussed various aspects of the scheme. Additional Chief Secretary of the Sugar Cane Industries Department, K Senthil Kumar, and Information Technology Secretary Abhay Kumar Singh briefed the Chief Minister on the progress in their respective departments. Senthil Kumar specifically informed that the Sasamusa Sugar Mill in Gopalganj district is set to commence operations shortly.
List of Mills Identified for Revival
A communique from the Chief Minister's Office revealed the mills targeted for revival, which include:
- Chanpatia in West Champaran
- Barachakia and Motihari in East Champaran
- Sasamusa in Gopalganj
- Marhaura in Saran
- Motipur in Muzaffarpur
- Samastipur in Samastipur
- Sakri and Raiyam in Darbhanga
Background and Committee Formation
This initiative builds on previous efforts, as in November 2025, the NDA government led by Nitish Kumar approved the revival of nine closed mills and the establishment of 25 new ones. To oversee this process, a high-level committee was constituted in December 2025 under Chief Secretary Pratyaya Amrit. Of the nine mills listed for revival, seven are in the public sector, including Raiyam, Sakri, Samastipur, Motipur, Marhaura, Barachakia, and Chanpatia, while Motihari and Sasamusa are in the private sector.
